• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.2A
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• pp.233-242
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• 2008

This study presents a non-prismatic beam element for modeling the elastic and inelastic behavior of steel beams, which have the post-Northridge(cover plate) connections in steel moment frames that are subjected to earthquake ground motions. The elastic stiffness matrix for non-prismatric members with increased beam section (IBS) connection is in the closed-form. The plasticity model is of a discrete type and is composed of a series of nonlinear hinges connected by rigid links. The hardening rules can model the inelastic behavior for monotonic and random cyclic loading, and the effects of local buckling. Moreover the determination of yield surfaces, stiffness parameters, and hardening (or softening) rule parameters for IBS beam element were described. Analytical results of the IBS beam element show good correlation with test data and FEM results.